She looked Simon straight in the eye. Something in her gaze made him feel like she was looking right into him, into his innermost thoughts. It should have felt uncomfortable, but it didn't. Something about that look made Simon feel like it was okay. Like whatever she could see in him, she wasn't judging him, and she didn't care. Like she could see all of him, and all of him was safe.
"I certainly have power," said Venus slowly and silkily, "To help a heartsick boy who wants only to experience the joys of my domain."
Simon felt a flutter in his stomach. "What do you mean?"
Venus turned towards Santa May, and stared thoughtfully at the town. "You know Simon," she said, "The girls in this place aren't nearly as unexciting as you've experienced so far. I know what you fantasised it would be
